Artificial limb



Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,163

R. R. HARRIS ZRTIFICIAL LIMB Filed March '2. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. R. HARRIS I ARTIFICIAL LIMB Aug. 28, 1923.

1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7,

Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,163

R. R. HARRIS ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed March 7, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 raidna Far-anr-m Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,163-

R. R. HARRIS ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed March '7, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 T all whom it may concern:

Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

UNH'ED STATES,

lfifialfiii PATENT @FFECEE.

ROMAINE R. HARRIS, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TVJENTIETH TO JENNIE B. \VICKIZER, ONE-TWENTIETH TO C. HOLLAND, ONE-TWENTIETI-I T0 TILLA BELCHNER, SIX-TVJENTIETHS 'lO ldAUDE F. GALIGHER, AND ONE ONE- HUNDREDTH T0 WILHELMINE C. GRIFFIN, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

Application filed March 7, 1921. Serial No. 450,203.

Be it known that I, R MAINE'R. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego, in the county of San Diego and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specifi cation.

This invention relates to artificial limbs and particularly to certain improvements in artificial arms. 5

It is the object of the invention to provide an artificial arm whichrincludes various parts generally corresponding to the parts of thenatural arm, and which also includes means for moving such parts to various'positions and locking thesame, and further means for releasing the locked parts when desired, the construction, as a whole, being so arranged and connected that it willloe capable of performing to a large extent the motions and functions of the natural arm. The invention is particularly intended for the use of persons who havelost all, or practically all of an arm, the construction being such that the motions and operations of the 'vari-ous parts can be carried out by suitable 7 proved arm movements of the stump of the arm, or

shoulder in various directions. With the foregoing and other useful objects in'vi'ew, theinvention is embodied in the construction described in the following specification, embraced in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

" Figure is aperspective view of my 1mshown applied to the body of a person; v Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the upper portion of myimproved construction;-

Figure is a detailed front view showing particularly the construction of the hand section. of the arm;

Figure i. is an enlarged detailed view showing the construction of one of the jointed. members forming the fingers of the hand;

Figure "5: tion of the arm and the cage;

Figure 6 is a detailed view, showing the is a side view of the upperp'or- "relation between the fingers and thumbahembers of the hand;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view,

partly in elevation, showing certain features the line 11 of Figure 5, showing, the means employed for locking the upper arm section agalnst swinging movement;

Figure 12 1s a vertical elevation showing further details of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 11; and e I Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of connecting and moving the cables for operating the various movable parts of the arm.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, the numeral 10 represents what is termed the cage section of the arm, this section being shaped to fit over the shoulder of a person to whom the arm is applied. The numeral 11 represents the upper arm section,,12 the lower arm section, and 13 the hand section,

all of these sections being supported from the cage 10. I

The cage 10 includes a curved member 14, which is adapted to lie upon the shoulder of a person and extend from the front to the rear thereof. A second curvedsection 15,

is rigidly secured at right angles to the member 1 the member 1.) JQlHQ' arranged toextend-from the front to the rear of the shoulder of a person, and to lie, beneath the shoulder. Suitable braces 16 are secured 'between'the members ll: and 15 to hold the same inrigid relation; A curved member 1? is also secured to 'the member 15, such member 1'! being also arranged to extend .over theshoulder oi a'pei'son from the front to the rear thereof. A laterally extending top. member 18 is secured to the members 14: and 17., this top member being curved downwardly at its outer end and provided with sp ced portions 1t. 18 between which the being so positioned as to be operated by movements of the shoulder or stump of the arm. These paddles constitute the means by which the various movable parts of the arm are operated, such operation being ef fected through the medium of various cables C, heremafter termed primary cables, connected to the paddles 19 and extending through suitable guides and rollers generally designated 19, on the cage and then to'the various parts to be moved.

The upper arm section 11 is pivoted between the downwardly extending portions 18 of the cage, as heretofore noted, and such pivotal section is secured through the medium of a ring 20, pivotally supported on opposite sides to the parts 18 of the member 18.

The main portion of the upper arm section 11 is formed of two substantial parallel bars or members 21, 21, which are pivotally secured to said ring 20 on an axis substantially at right angles to the pivotal axis of the pivot between the ring 20 and the parts 18. The pivotal connection between the bars 21 and the ring 20 is suchv that the upper arm section may swing freely, relative to the ring 20 when certain locking mechanism is not operativef This locking mechanism is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 of the drawing, in which 20 represents one of the pivot members secured to one of the bars 21 and upon which the upper arm section swings, this pivot member being arranged in an opening in the ring 20 and being circular in cross section, except that one face thereto is flattened, as shown at 20". A locking block 20 is hingedly supported adjacent thepivot member 20 and is provided with a flat face adapted to engage the flat portion 20 of the pivot member whereby rotation of said member is prevented. This locking block 20 is so ar ranged that it can be moved about its hinge connection to withdraw the flat face thereof from contact with the flat face 21') of the pivot member 20. WVhen the block 20 is thus withdrawn the upper arm section 11 is free to swing relative to the ring 20. One of the primary cables C is secured to the pivot block 20", which cable passes through suitable guides and rollers and is attached to one of the paddles or levers 19 heretofore described, this paddle or lever being operated whenever it is desired to withdraw the pivot block 20 and permit the arm to swing.

Below' ts upper end. the upper arm section carries a series of levers 25 which are arm section. The levers 25 are preferably mounted upon a common pivot 27 mounted on spaced bars 27 rigidly secured to the ring 26, and each of said levers at its free end is provided with a laterally ext-ending projection or arm 28 each of which carries a series of teeth 29. Adjacent the end of each of said levers 25 there is arranged a pivotal dog 80 these dogs being preferably arranged on a single pivot rod 31 mounted in the bars 27-, and each being provided with a lug 32 adapted to engage with the teeth 29 of the corresponding lever 25. Each of the dogs is yieldingly held against the end ofthe corresponding lever 25 by means of a spring 33 and suitable mechanism is provided for simultaneously withdrawing said dogs from engagement with the levers 25. Such mechanism comprises two bars 34 which are pivoted upon the pivot rod 31 heretofore mentioned, and which extend upwardly and are connected by means of a cross bar 35 which bar is adapted to contact simultaneously with the dogs 30. A secondary cable C is attached to the bar 35., this cable passing around a roller 36 mounted on a suitable standard 37 secured to the ring 26 and then through a sheave 38 which is supported at the lower end of one of the primary cables (l heretofore referred to. After passing said sheave 38 the cable C extends down wardly and is secured to a dog 39 pivotally supported on one of the members. 21, 21 of the upper arm section.

From this construction it is apparent that an upward pull upon the primary cable C connected to the sheave 38 will simulta neously withdraw the dogs 30 from the levers 25 and also lift the dog 39 out of contact. with the part which it normally engages.

One of the primary cables C heretofore referred to is secured to each of the levers 25. These cables as heretofore noted pass upwardly through suitable guides and rollers and are secured to the operating paddles or levers 19 on the cage 10. Other secondary cables C C C are also secured to the'levers 25 these last named cables passing downwardly and being connected to certain movable parts of the arm hereafter described. It will thus be seen that when the levers 25 are drawn upwardly by the cables C, the cables'C C C will also be drawn upwardly'to move the parts to which they are attached. hen the levers are thus raised they will be locked in raised position until released by a pull upon the cable C which withdraws the dog 30 and also the dog or dogs 39.

Near its lower end, the upper arm section 11 is provided with laterally extending bars 40 between which there is arranged a guide roller 41 and similarly laterally extending bars42 are arranged a slight distance besuitable guiding rollers.

low the ring 26 the bars 42 being connected by a cross bar 43 which if desired may carry The cross bar 43 and the guide roller 41 are intended to form uiding means for one of. the primary cables which extends downwardly from the cage, and which is attached to'the upper part of the lower; arm section for swinging the same as later described. Other means are provided lfor guiding the secondary cables which extend downwardly to the'lower sectionof the arm, suchimeans comprising a rod 44 carrying a tubular roller 44 and arranged between bars 44*, 44? secured to the members 21 of the upper arm section.

' The lower arm section 12 is pivotally supportedl'onthe lower ends-o1": the bars 21, 21

x-of the upper arm section, the lower arm sectionbeing provided with spaced bars or members 45, 45, which are pivoted to said bars 21, 21, by pivot pins 46. One or both of the bars 45, 45 above its pivot point is provided with a curved portion 47 having a vse'r-iesofnotches or teeth 48 so positioned as to be engaged by thedog or dogs 39 heretofore described, it being understood that when the lower arm section is moved about its pivot. 46, 46, the dog 39 cooperating with the teeth 48 will hold or look such section in the position towhich it has been moved. The lower arm section may be moved about its pivot point through the medium of one of the primarycablesC heretofore referred to,,ithis cable extending from the cage down- V do wardly; to a point below the pivotal connec tiongbetwee'n the upper and lower arm sections'and being connected toa ring 50 Which is rigidly secured to the bars or members 45 above mentioned. From this construction it will be apparent that where this narticularcableC is moved through the mediumof thepaddle or lever 19 to which it is secured the lower arm section will be caused to portions one. o-f-whichis rotatable on 'a longitudinal axis, relative to the other portion.

Top-secure such relative rotation there is and a second ring 52 which is securedto spaced members 53",for-m1ng the lower portion of the lower arm section,'suitabl'e balls 54pbeing arrangedbetw'een said rings 51 I and 52,

lToprovide means for rotating the lower V portionofi the arm section-11 relative'to the upper portion, a drum 55 is rigidly secured tov said lower portion o'f the section 1 1 this drum being arranged substantially axially f ofethe saidsection, 11. The secondarycable Y'G? above mentioned is attached to and passes around the drum 55 and thence about a guide roller 56, secured to the upper portion of the lower arm section, the cable C .at its end being secured to one of the levers position when the same is free to rotate,

The drum 55 is pr-eferablysecured to a tubular member rigidly secured to the lower portion of the arm section lifthis member serving as a guide for the various secondary cables which pass downwardly to other movable parts of the arm. Between the lower portion of the members-53 there is rigidly secured suitable rings 61, v62 which serve to hold said members 53 in rigid relation and also serve for the attachment of suitable covering for thearm.

I The hand section 13 is pivotally supported on the lower ends of the members 53 above mentioned. The hand section comprises a cross member 65 pivotally connected at each end to the member and provided with ears '66 to which the frame member 67 of finger members of the hand are supported. Each of the finger members is made up of two sets of parallel plates pivotally connected together. Referring to one of the finger members, all of which are similarly constructed, such member comprises two plates 70 mountedjupon the bars 68, 69, and slidably engaged 'by across bar 71 upon which coiled springs 72 are arranged to space the different finger members. Each of the plates 70 is slotted longitudinally as at 73 and a cross bar 74 is arranged to slide in the slots of these plates. 1 This cross bar is connected to the lower end of the secondary cable C so that as said cable is drawn up{- vardlythe bar'74 willmove in the slot 73. The outer portion of each of the finger members is made upof sets of spaced plates 75 pivoted together and suitably held in spaced relation; A cord v7 6 passes from "thebar 74 outwardly along each finger member there being suitable guides 77 in each of such members for holding said cords in proper position. Thesecords 77 are-secured to the outer end of the finger members. .Fiach of thesemembers is also provided with a second cord 78 attached to its-outer end, this 'cord extending rearwardly past suitable guides 79 and being secured to one end of a coiled-spring79, the other end otsaid spring being attached to the cross bar (38.

F rom. this construction it will be, seenthat when the cable C is drawn upwardly the .nal extended-position by thesprings 79 actmg throughlthe cords 78.

The thumb portion ofthe hand comprises a member, 80, which is pivotally supported on a plate .81 secured to the frame 67 and the outer jointed elements 82 similar to the jointed members of the fingers. The secondary cable C is connected to the outer end of the jointed elements of: the thumb member and is so arranged in this member that a pull upon said cable will cause bending of the thumb member toward the finger members of the hand section.

From the entire. construction heretofore described, it will be understood that the lower arm. section can be swung relative to the upper arm section, and locked in position and released when desired, and that one portion of the lower arm section may be rotated relative to the other portion and locked in this position until released. And it will be further understood that the jointed finger and thumb members of the hand section be closed and released at will and that after the various parts have been moved as desired and locked, they may be simultaneously released from such locked position;

Various changes in the details of this construction may of course be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the benefits or advantages thereof. I

Having thus described theinvention what is claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is 3 V 1. In an artificial arm, means for supporting the same on the body of a person, an upper arm section secured to said support,- ing means, a lower arm section pivotally secured to the lower end otthe first named section, one of said arm sections having adjacent itspoint of pivotal support a portion provided with a series of notches, a dog movably mounted on the other section and arranged to'engage said. notches as the lower arm section'is moved relative to-the upper section, means for moving said lower arm section. relative to the upper arm" section and means carried by the upperarm section for withdrawing said dog from said notches. 2. In an artificial arm, a cage, an upper arm section secured thereto, a lower arm section pivotally secured to the lower end of the first'named section, one of said arm sections having adjacent its point of pivotal support a portion provided with a series of notches,ga dog movably mounted on the other arm section and arranged to engage said notches as the lower arm section is section,

'meansfor returnin .moved relative to the upper arm section,

means operable from the cage for moving said lower arm section relative to the upper arm section and means also operable from the cage for withdrawing said dogfrom said 11 notches.

3. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be secured to the shoulder of a person, an upper arm section pivotally secured thereto,

a lower arm section pivotally connected to also operable from the cage for withdrawing said dog from said notches.

4. In an artificial arm, an upper arm section, a lower arm section pivotally connected thereto, means arranged adjacent the pivotal connection between said sections for locking the lower arm section against movement relative to the upper arm section, a cable for releasing said locking means and a movable device mounted on said upper arm sec-- tion to which said cable is connected.

5. In an artificial. arm, a cage adapted to be secured to the shoulder-of a .person,"an upper arm section connected to said cage, a lower arm section pivotally connected to said upper arm section, means adjacent the pivotal connection between said arm sections for locking said lower arm section against movement relative to the upper arm section, means operable directly .from' the cage for moving said lower arm section about its pivotal connection to the upper arm section, a cable for releasing said locking means, 'a movable device mounted on said upper arm section towhich said cable is connected and means operable from the cage for moving said device. H

6. In an artificial'arm, an upper arm section and a hand section, af lower arm section connected'together, said lower. arm section' above the hand sectlon CODSlStlDg' of two portions, means for rotating one portion of said lower arm section relative to'the other ortion -meansffor lockin said rotatable 7. In an artificial arm, a cage, an upper arm section and a: lower arm section pivot ally connected, a hand section connected'to said-lower arm section, said lower arniseetion comprising two POItlOIlS'OIlE of 'WllICh is rotatable'relative to the other on a longitudinal axis, means for rotating said rotatable portion otthe lower arm'section and the same to its original posltion. e r

ring each of said aforementioned locl'ring' upper .arm section and means for locking the same in various positions, said lower arm section comprising two portions one of which is rotatableirelative to the other, means for rotating said rotatable portion,

means for locking the same in various posi-' tions, and means for simultaneously releas- Ineans. 1

9. In an artificial arm, 'anupper arm section, a lower arm section pivotally connected thereto, a hand section connected to the lower: end of said lower arm section said lower arm section comprising two portions, one of which is rotatable relative to the other on a longitudinal axis, means mounted on the upper arm section for rotating said rotatable portion of the lower arm section,

means .for locking said rotatable portion in various positions and means for releasing said locking means.

10. In an artificial arm, an upper arm section, a lower arm section and a hand section connected together, said-lower arm section comprising two parts, one of which is rotatable on a longitudinal axis relative to the other part, a cable connected to said rotatable part ofthelower arm'for rotating the same, means to which said cable is connected for lockingisaid rotatable part in various positions, a cable for releasing said locking means and movable means carried ,by the upper. arm section to which said last named cable is :connected.

11. In-an artificial arm, an upper arm section, a lower arm section secured thereto, a hand section secured to said lower arm section, said hand section comprising a series. of. jointed members representing fingers, means for yieldingly holding said jointed. members extended, means for simul ingly holding said jointed members extended,'means for simultaneously bending said jointed members constituting the fingers,

other means for bending, saidjointed member constituting the thumb of the hand, means for locking each of said jointed members in bent or contracted position, and means for simultaneously releasing said locking means. 1

18. In an artificial arm, a cage, an upper arm section, a lower arm section, a hand section, said hand section comprising a series of jointed members representing fingers, means for yieldingly holding said jointed members extended, means operable from the cage for simultaneously bendin said jointed members to close the ban means for locking said'jointed members intheir bent position, and means operable from the cage for releasing said locking means.

In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be mounted on the shoulder of a person, an upper arm secured to said cage, a lower arm section pivotally secured to said upper section, means operable from the cage for moving said lower arm section about its pivot, means for locking the same in various positions, said lower arm section comprising two portions one of which is rotatable relative to the other, means operable from the cage for rotating said rotatable portion, said means including a locking device for holding said rotatable portion in desired position of rotation, and means operable from the cage for simultaneously releasing said locking means and said locking device.

15. In an artificial arm, a cage for attachment to the shoulder of a person, an upper arm section secured to said cage, a lower arm section pivotally secured to said upper section, a hand section secured to said lower arm section, means operable from the cage for'moving said lower arm section about its pivot, a device for locking the same in various positions, said lower arm sect-ion comprising two portions one Of which is rota table relative to the other, means operable from the cage for rotating said rotatable portion, said means including a locking deing device on said upper arm section for holding said jointed members in bent position, and means operable from the cage for simultaneously releasing each of said looking devices. 7 i

i 16. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted for, attachment to the shoulder of a person, an'upper arm section secured to the cage, a lowerarm section secured to said .upper section, said lower section comprising two portions one of which is rotatable relative to the other, a hand section secured to said lower arm section and comprising a series of. jointed members constituting the fingers of the hand section, a lever pivotally mounted transversely of said upper arm section and provided with aplurality of notches, a dog also pivotally mounted on said upper arm section and arranged to engage the notches of said lever, a cable connected to notches, a dog pivotally mounted adjacent the free end of each of said levers and arranged to engage said notches, plurality of movable parts supported by said upper arm section, a cable connected to each of said levers and to one of said movable parts, means operable irom said cage to move said levers and the parts attached thereto, and means also operable from said cage or withdrawing said dogs from said notches.

18. In an. artificial arm, a cage, an arm section secured thereto, a hand section secured to said arm section, said hand section comprising a plurality of jointed members constituting the fingers, yielding means for -holding said jointed members extended,

means opera-ble'irom the cage for bending said jointed members to close thehand, means mounted on the arm section for looking said jointed members in bent position, and means operable from the cage "for releasing said locking means.

19. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be secured to. the shoulder of a person, an upper arm section pivotally supported gtrom said cage and arranged to swing about an axis, means for locking said arm section against swinging movement about said axis and relative to the cage, and means operable from the cage for releasing said locking means.

20. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be secured to the shoulder of aperson, a member pivotal'ly supported on said cage and capable of movement about a predetermined axis, an upper arm section pivotally supported on said member and capable of swinging movement about an axis substantially at right angles to the firstmentioned axis, means -for locking said arm section against swinging movement relative to said member, and means operable from the cage for releasing said locking means.

21. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be secured to the shoulder of a person,

said cage having a curvedmember adapted to extend over the shoulder of a person and also having a top member secured toand extending laterally of said first named member and substantially at a right angle there to, an arm pivotally secured to the outer end of said top member, said arm including a plurality of movable parts, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on said cage, and cables connected to said levers and said movable parts for moving the latter. I

In an artificial arm, an upper arm section, a plurality of levers pivotallysupported at one end on saidsectiongand'arranged in substantially parallel relation, each of said levers at its free end having an arm or projection providcdwith teeth, a. plurality of spring pressed dogs pivotally supportedadjacent said free ends of said levers and arranged to engage the teeth thereon, plurality of movable parts supported from said upper armsection, cables connecting certainotsaid parts with said levers,-meansfor moving said levers to operate the movable parts connected thereto and means for simultaneously releasing said digs from said levers.

In an artificial arm, a section composedof two portions, means for maintining said portions with their longitudinal xes in alignment, one of said portions being rotatable on a longitudinal axis relative to the other portion, means for-rotating said rotata-bie portion and means for automatically returning the same to its original-position.

24. In an artificial arm, a cage adapted to be secured to the body of a person, an upper arm section supported on said ca 'e, alower arm section pivotally connected to the upper arm section and capable of swinging on a predetermined'axis only,means for moving said lower section about its pivotal axis, means for locking the same in the position desired, said lower section comprising two portions one ofwhich is rotatable relative to the other, means for rotating said rotatable portion and for locking the same in desired position, a hand section secured to said lower arm section, said hand section comprising a plurality of jointed members normally held in extended position, means for bending said jointed members and locking the same in their vbent position, and means operable from the cage for simultaneously releasing each of said locking means. v v

25. In an artificial arm having'a plurality of relatively movable parts, a series of levers pivotally supported on one of said parts, a cable connected to each of said' levers'and to one of the parts to be moved, an operating cable connected to each of said levers for moving the same, and means for locking each of said levers in various positions when moved by said operating cables.

7 26. In an artificial arm having a plurality of relatively movable parts, a series of levers pivotally supported on one of said parts, a cable connected to each of said levers and to'one of the parts tobe moved, an operating cable connected to each of said levers for moving the same, a locking dog for each of said levers to lock the same in various positions when moved by said operating cables, and means for simultaneously releasing said dogs from the levers.

27. In an artificial arm having a plurality of relatively movable parts, a plurality of levers pivotally supported on one of said parts, each of said levers having a toothed arrn secured thereto, a pivoted dog for each of said levers, said dogs being arranged to engage the teeth of said levers and hold the same in "arious positions, a cable connected to each of said levers and to one of the parts of the arm to be moved an operating cable connected to each of said levers for moving the same to various positions, and means for simultaneously releasing said dogs from the toothed portions of said levers.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROMAINE R. HARRIS. 

